Why Graphite is a Good Conductor of Electricity

Answer: Graphite is a common allotropic carbon type. It is an excellent electrical conductor. It’s widely used in the manufacture of electrochemical cell cores (Dry Cells) and lead pencils. Graphite has a three-dimensional network structure. It is made entirely of carbon atoms. 

Each carbon atom in graphite is covalently connected to three other carbon atoms. This configuration creates layers of hexagonal rings that can pass through one another. Each carbon atom in graphite possesses a free electron in its outermost energy shell. The conductivity of electricity through graphite is due to this free electron.

Graphite is a good conductor. Because its electrons are delocalized, or free to travel about, graphite is a good conductor of electricity. The atoms of graphite are closely linked into planes. The electrons can travel around since the planes are separated by a large distance and are only weakly linked together.